17 Indians on death row: Court adjourns hearing till May 19

Dubai: A UAE court hearing an appeal filed
by 17 Indians sentenced to death for murdering a Pakistani man
on Thursday adjourned the case till May 19 and asked the defendants
and the victim`s kin to reach a settlement by that date on the
`blood money`.

Lawyers and members of Indian community handling the case
said they will make all efforts to reach a settlement in the
given time.

On March 28 last year, the Sharjah Court of First
Instance had pronounced the death sentence on 17 Indian
nationals, who were accused of killing Pakistani national
Misri Khan in January, 2009.

Since then 12 hearings have been held in this case.
"The family of the victim has agreed for a compromise and
we will make all efforts possible to find a settlement with
Mohammed Ramzan, who has been appointed to negotiate blood
money payment on behalf of the victim`s family," S P Singh
Oberoi, a founder member of Indian Punjabi Society said.

Oberoi has helped settle various such cases in the past
and have also paid blood money on behalf of Indians facing
death sentence in Dubai.

On December 30 hearing last year, Ramzan said he has the
power of attorney and that the victim`s family is ready for
compromise.

On February 24, the judge gave two months time for
compromise. However, the settlement could not be reached
during the stipulated time.

According to Oberoi, following today`s hearing, the judge
ordered that the two sides should settle the Diya (pardon)
money as per Sharia Law outside the court in three weeks.
The court will reconvene on May 19.

Meanwhile, in a statement today, the Indian consulate in
Dubai said the defence lawyers have been working relentlessly
to persuade the Sharjah Court of Appeals to review the
judgement of the Court of the First Instance.

"We fully respect the local judicial process and are
cognisant of all its aspects. The Government of India is doing
all it can to safeguard the interests of the accused. Our
lawyers will continue to defend the accused," the statement
said.